Aeroplane



.1. L. COCHENNET.

AEROPLANE.

APPLICATION FILED APR-14, |.9I7l 1,328,421, Patented Jan. 20, 1920.

I N V EN TOR.

Jeff/v. L. Cami/w44;-

"TE- Z WITNESSES Qxmqmkw JOHN L. COCHENNET, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

AEROPLAN E.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 20, 1920.

Application filed April 14, 1917. Serial No. 162,086.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN L. CooHENNE'r, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Aeroplanes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to flying apparatus of the laeroplane type, and is specifically concerned with a novel arrangement and construction of planes and parts associated therewith, the objects being to produce a construction which shall have the maximum lifting power, stability, and speed. Other objects and uses will also hereinafter appear from a detailed description of the invention contained in the specication and claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, which exemplifies a preferred embodiment of my invention, and in which Figure l is a front elevation; Fig. Q- is a plan view; and Fig. 3 is a side elevation, of the aeroplane.

The present apparatus employs three lifting planes, and hence has many characteristics of a triplane. The top plane designated as 4l lies in a generally horizontal plane, while the other two planes 5 and 6, arranged below the top plane, are each angularly disposed to the top plane and to each other. The lower edges of the planes 5 and 6 are equidistant fromthe top plane, while their upper edges meet upon the under side of the top plane in the center line thereof. This construction is clearly represented in Fig. l.

The general shape of the planes can best be described by reference to their corners or angles, which I have designated by letters. The top plane may be regarded as consisting of three sections, the forward o ne in the shape of a triangle A, B, C; the mlddle one in the shape of a trapezoid D, E, F, Gr; and the rear one in the shape of a triangle F, H, G. The lower planes 5 and 6 are each in the general form of a trapezoid, one occupying the position indicated by the letters A, B, F, H, (see Fig. 2), and the other the position shown by the letters A, H, G, C. The top plane is suitably curved from front to back, as is usual, so as to operate to the best advantage. h

Rearwardly of the lifting planes is a tail piece consisting of a horizontal triangular plane designated as 7, and having angular points I, J, K. Extending in a vertical plane immediately below the plane 7 and in the center line thereof is another plane 8, also of triangular shape, as indicated b v the letters K, I, L. These two planes 7 and S are immovable and together constitute the tail piece of the machine. The wings of the tail piece are preferably close behind the lifting planes, and for this reason can be sufliciently large to exert a strong stabilizing influence without interfering with the movements of the apparatus.

The cont-rol of the aeroplane is effected by manipulation of certain rudders, as follows: A horizontal rudder 9 pivoted along the rearward edge of the plane 7; a vertical rudder l0 pivoted along the rearward edge of the plane 8; and supplementary horizontal rudders ll and l2 pivoted on the line F, Gr. It is to be understood that suitable connections will extend from these rudders to controlling devices located conveniently to the operators seat 13, which I have shown as positioned centrally beneath the wings 5 and 6 and forward of the power plant 14 which drives the propeller 15. Sections of transparent material 16 are provided in the planes 5 and 6, to enable the operator to command a view on each side of the apparatus. A deck 17 may further be arranged upon the top plane as shown, affording to an observer a clear view on all sides, and for the purpose of providing access to the deck, an opening 18 is formed in the planes 5 and 6, as indicated in Fig. l. Vheels 19 on which the machine may travel at times of starting and alighting are mounted upon the under side of the apparatus. It is to be understood that a suitable framework 20 will be provided for supporting and sustaining in operative relation all of the various parts of my machine which have been dcscribed, the frame taking such form as may be necessary for this purpose.

Special advantages are obtainable in an aeroplane constructed in accordance with the foregoing description. It will be noted that the forward and rearward edges of the horizontal lifting plane, as well as the ends thereof, are pointed. This construction reduces the resistance offered to the air. The convergence of the lower planes at their point of juncture with the top plane results in the forma-tion of a pocket, in which the air is cushioned to exent an increased lifting power. It is within this pocketwhere 4there is a pressure of air that the propeller is located and enabled to attain the highest eliciency.

lt will be noted also that when the machine is banked to perform turning movements it is sustained by the pressure of the air which is cushioned within the pocket formed between the lower side of the top plane and the facing side of the lower plane which is most downwardly inclined. By this means the lifting power of the machine is thereby augmented on the turns. Duringpositions of banking, furthermore, the lower lifting' plane which is most nearly horizontal remains relatively inoperative to hold the machine against travel in a lateral direction, being the direction which the apparatus tends to pursue at such times. This lower plane, therefore, while approaching the horizontal, exerts an increased lifting' power on the turns. It follows that the lifting, action described will be most nearly equalized only when the machine is disposed horizontally. Any tendency, therefore, of the apparatus to deviate from the horizontal will be counteracted automatically, with the result that the present machine is practically self-stabilizing. The wings 5 and 6 are, furthermore, pointed on the forward and rearward edges similar to the top plane l, so as to offer less resistance to the wind, thereby adding' to the speed of the machine.

I claim:

l. In an aeroplane, the combination of a single horizontal plane and oblique planes therebelow meeting on the under side of the top plane on the center line thereof, and propelling mechanism loca-ted between the oblique planes, substantially as described.

In an aeroplane, the combination of a horizontal top plane having` pointed front and rear edges, oblique planes below the top plane and meeting' on the under side of the top plane on the center line thereof, the upper edges of the oblique planes being substantially equal in length to the longitudinal dimension of the top plane, and the lower edges of the oblique planes beingof less length to render the said planes generally trapezoidal in shape, substantially as described. p

3. In an aeroplane, the combination of a horizontal top plane having a pointed rear edge, oblique planes below the top plane and meeting on the under side of the top plane on the center line thereof, and a tail piece immediately behind the top plane having a pointed forward edge in proximity to the pointed rear edge of the top plane, substantially as described.

l. ln an aeroplane, the combination of a horizontal top plane and two oblique planes therebelow meetingon the under side of the top plane on the center line thereof, the oblique planes being of general trapezoid shape, with their top and bottom edges substantially parallel, the lower edges being' the shortest, substantially as described.

An aeroplane including', in combination, a single horizontal plane, oblique lower planes forming a juncture with the top plane and with each other, and propelling meel anism located between the oblique planes, substantially as described.

G. An aeroplane including, in combination, a single horizontal plane, oblique lower planes forming` a juncture with the top plane intermediate its ends, and propelling mechanism located beneath the top plane, substantially as described.

JOHN L. C'OCHENNET. 

